A mitochondria-targeted fluorescent probe for fast detecting hypochlorite in living cells

A fast-responsive fluorescent probe PI-Py was designed and synthesized for sensitive and selective detecting hypochlorite (ClO−). The probe PI-Py was intrinsically non-fluorescent due to the PET effect of the phenothiazine moiety. After reacting with ClO−, the PET effect was blocked, and a strong green emission of the BODIPY unit was recovered. The probe PI-Py showed an excellent selectivity towards ClO− in comparison of other ROS. The limit of detection for ClO− was calculated to be 1.7 nM, proving the probe's high sensitivity. Moreover, the probe PI-Py has been proved to be effective in visualizing the variations of exogenous ClO− in living HeLa cells. A co-localization study employing Mito Tracker red reveals that the PI-Py is specifically located in the mitochondria. A new BODIPY-based fluorescent probe for ClO− was developed successfully. This probe can be used in visualizing the changes of exogenous ClO− in the mitochondria. [Display omitted] •A novel BODIPY-based fluorescent probe PI-Py was synthesized.•The probe PI-Py showed an excellent selectivity and sensitivity towards ClO−.•Fluorescent titrations, MS spectra support a PET OFF-ON mechanism.•Living cells imaging for exogenous ClO− located in the mitochondria was observed.